Adreian Payne's presence instantly changes the way opposing teams defend Michigan State

College basketball: Michigan State vs. Penn State

Michigan State center Adreian Payne (5) grabs an offensive rebound in the first half of the Spartans' Big Ten basketball game against Penn State at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. on Thursday, February 6, 2014. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

EAST LANSING -- When Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo realized he would have Adreian Payne back for Thursday night's game against Penn State, he immediately qualified his statements and tempered his emotions surrounding the senior's return.

It would affect his rotation, he said. Payne's conditioning would take time, he said.

Then Payne went to the scorers' table to check in.

"It was like Willis Reed coming out of the tunnel," Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said. "They gave him a standing ovation."

Adreian Payne's presence in the post changes the dynamics of defense for Michigan State opponents. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

Even with Keith Appling and Branden Dawson injured on the bench, a month's worth of Breslin Center angst evaporated in an instant.

With 16:21 on the clock, Payne walked out on to the court and instantly changed the game and the tone inside the Breslin Center. On Michigan State's next possession, the Spartans got the ball in his hands at the top of the key. With 7-footer Jordan Dickerson in his face, Payne drained a long two.

His first shot in a month was pure. The Izzone went nuts.

In Payne's first stretch -- a shift that lasted just 3:18 -- he went 2-of-3 from the field, hit two free throws, grabbed a rebound and racked up six points. While he was on the court, MSU's lead stretched from five points to 11.

Ultimately, it would not be Payne's shot that made the biggest difference in the Spartans' 82-67 win over the Nittany Lions. The senior forward only attempted one 3 and missed it. He had just three rebounds.

There were times when Payne's mind said 'take him on the block,' but his body proved rusty and uncooperative. With 1:55 left in the first half, Valentine fed Payne halfway between the block and the 3-point line. He turned to face up Penn State's D.J. Newbill but quickly found himself smothered by Tim Frazier as well. He was stuck and the Nittany Lions were able to force a turnover.

"I think that's just a matter of me continuing having practice and get back in the flow of the game," Payne said. "Coach told me that and I didn't believe it, but it kind of happened. On the last play of the game, when I kind of threw up an…I don't know what kind of hook shot. It was just bad."

But the instant double team of Frazier and Newbill in the first half exemplified Payne's biggest impact on the game. With the ball in his hands, he sucked up defenders like a Dyson.

With 7:20 to go in the game and the Spartans up by 23, Payne came up to set a pick on Newbill. He came off the screen and caught the bounce pass from Travis Trice. Alone with the ball at the top of the key, three Penn State defenders instantly turned to run towards Payne. All five sets of Nittany Lions eyes were on him. Every Spartan on the court besides Matt Costello was open and Payne wisely dished it off to Alvin Ellis III, who sunk the 3, giving Michigan State its largest lead of the night.

Three minutes later, Payne got the ball with his back to the basket and began backing down Dickerson. Every other Nittany Lion defender sagged off their man and turned their heads in Payne's direction. Newbill pointed at Frazier to help Dickerson. Ross Travis left Costello and doubled Payne in the paint. Payne picked up his dribble and spun into the double team as Gary Harris cut hard to the far corner. Payne pivoted back to his left, drawing the attention now of Geno Thorpe and a fully collapsed Penn State defense. Harris was 20 feet from the nearest Nittany Lion and drained the 3.

Not all teams will choose to double-team Payne. But other Big Ten opponents will need a less movable object in the post than Penn State sophomore center Donovon Jack, who at 6-foot-10, 210 pounds was bullied by Payne in one-on-one situations.

Payne finished the game with 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block in 18 minutes.

"While I was out, I was watching the game and I could see some things out there," Payne said. "I know that when I'm in the game everything's a little bit different."

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